Why is this dated? Need help.

[NealF]

Thanks for the feedback.

I agree.

I'm thinking I should have used the Taylor Swift reference instead of Happy. But Happy was so... happy!

I've come across a similar problem with a hip hop track. The samples they gave, to me, only sounded hip hop because of the vocals. Once you take that out, the only hip hopish things were the beat, tempo and drum sounds, which I did have.

But since they wanted instrumentals, it was a tough call. Didn't get that one forwarded either.

Anyway, at least I'm getting some tracks in my catalogue.

[Len911]

That's the thing about sounding dated, it doesn't matter if you only used things that were invented within the last 10 years, if it sounds like it was made 20 years ago, it's going to sound dated.

In general why something sounds dated imo has more to do with one's musical sensibilities. If one is really into Patsy Cline, one is probably going to have those musical instincts and sensibilities and apply them to everything they compose, even if they do a Taylor Swift. Fortunately people are more versatile and have a variety of artists they are into. But if you are going to do a convincing Taylor Swift, you should be into TS, otherwise there is the risk of sounding like a caricature of TS, or a Patsy Clined TS,lol!

If I was to guess from your track, I'd say that you were probably into '70's black funk artists.
If not, lol, maybe that was all that was played when you were growing up even though you hated it??
Or maybe it came out of no where and is your true muse speaking??

At any rate, it is a very convincing '70's black funk! I liked it!

[Casey H]

Cool track. For me it's definitely the horns that are dating it too much. Look into some new horn samples. I love using Session Horns Pro. Nice work though, for sure. I definitely get the Happy vibe, which is a little dated in its production anyway. They may have wanted something closer to Shake It Off by Taylor Swift, as that was the first reference.

Just a note that often (can't be sure it's ALWAYS true), Taxi likes to list the references from closest to least closest whenever they can. So, the first reference is often the best one to go by. Not saying the other's aren't relevant!!! Just that many times the first is closest to what the client is looking for.

All that being said, if you nail the sound in any of the references (without ripping off), you tend to have a pretty darn good shot.

Best
Casey

[NealF]

Casey, thanks for the tip. Didn't know that.

Len911, actually, my main influences were Beatles, Paul Simon, Billy Joel. But I had a production company for about 15 years and we had to create every kind of music the client wanted. So I got well versed in different styles.

But that was 17 years ago. I'm pretty good at copping styles, but it is a bit hard to get out of the old habits.

[ochaim]

Sorry Neal, "growl" is inaccurate. I was referring to the guitar notes that ring out between chords.

[NealF]

Got it. Thanks.

[andygabrys]

I noticed the reverb on the claps and the snare sounds bright with a verby ambience.

I noticed that too. Its in wide stereo very splashy verb - like a lot of plate.

Other choices would be no verb, very subtle office or small room, or to gate short the splashy verb so it pumped in time with the track.

but sometimes its just better to find a different snare or clap that has the tail you want in the first place.

[NealF]

Thanks.

Good suggestion.